Cultivator fender assembly

ABSTRACT

A cultivator fender assembly for being dragged along the ground by a cultivator vehicle to shield rows of crops from having earth, cultivated alongside the rows by cultivators carried by the vehicle, thrown onto the rows. The fender assembly includes a plurality of elongate shields extending parallel to one another, the shields being arranged in pairs with the shields constituting each pair being spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of a row of crops and with the pairs of shields being spaced apart from each other a distance generally corresponding to the spacing between the rows. The pairs of shields are connected to the vehicle in a manner which permits up and down movement of the shields in response to changing ground contours. Triangulated linkages are provided which extend between the rear portions of adjacent pairs of shields for substantially eliminating back and forth lateral swinging movement (i.e., fishtailing) of one pair of shields relative to the others.

[ CULTIVATOR FENDER ASSEMBLY Milton G. Dickey, Pine Bluff, Ark.

[73] Assignee: Farmers Tractor and Equipment Co., Pine Bluff, Ark.

[22] Filed: July 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 160,340

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.003,438, Jan. 16. 1970, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 511,118,Dec. 2, 1965, Pat. No. 3,595,321.

[75] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl. 172/513, 172/646 51 Int. :1 A0lb 17/00 [58] Field ofSearch 172/513, 512, 508, 172/509, 630, 631,619, 658

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,712,783 7/1955 Vavra172/512 206,458 7/1878 Jory 172/631 2,076,958 4/1937 Mathes 172/619974,325 11/1910 Williams... 172/513 961,591 6/1910 Ertel 172/513 [451July 3,1973

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Stephen C.Pellegrino Attorney-Koenig, Senniger, Powers & Leavitt 5 ABSTRACT Acultivator fender assembly for being dragged along the ground by acultivator vehicle to shield rows of crops from having earth, cultivatedalongside the rows by cultivators carried by the vehicle, thrown ontothe rows. The fender assembly includes a plurality of elongate shieldsextending parallel to one another, the shields being arranged in pairswith the shields constituting each pair being spaced apart from eachother on opposite sides of a row of crops and with the pairs of shieldsbeing spaced apart from each other a distance generally corresponding tothe spacing between the rows. The pairs of shields are connected to thevehicle in a manner which permits up and down movement of the shields inresponse to changing ground contours. Triangulated linkages are providedwhich extend between the rear portions of adjacent pairs of shields forsubstantially eliminating back and forth lateral swinging movement(i.e., fishtailing) of one pair of shields relative to the others.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJULB. ms 3.743.031

sum "1 BF 2 CULTIVATOR FENDER ASSEMBLY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication, Ser. No. 003,438, filed Jan. 16, 1970, which is acontinuation of my application Ser. No. 5ll,ll8, filed Dec. 2, 1965, nowUS. Pat. No. 3,595,321.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cultivator shieldsor fenders that are dragged along the ground behind a cultivator vehicleto keep the soil which has been dug loose by the cultivator from beingthrown onto the rows of crops being cultivated. More particularly, thisinvention is an improvement of such a cultivator fender assembly inwhich fishtailing is prevented.

In the cultivation of fields, particularly where this is done atrelatively high speeds and in fields where the ground contours arerelatively uneven there is a tendency for the fenders to swing or angleback and forth laterally. Such action is referred to as fishtailing andis undesirable particularly where cultivation and spraying are beingdone simultaneously. Fishtailing of the shields will cause them tostrike and ride over the crop rows and destroy a substantial portionthereof. Moreover, where the trailing ends of the cultivator shieldsserve as spraying platforms, fishtailing prevents accurate sprayingapplications.

Hitherto certain cultivator fender assemblies have included a singlestabilizing bar extending laterally between the rear portions of theadjacent shields of adjacent pairs of shields, but these singlestabilizing bars have not been satisfactory in preventing fishtailing,particularly if the connection of a pair of shields to the cultivatortool bar loosens or if excessive amounts of soil are thrown against oneof the shields by the cultivator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the many objects of this invention may benoted the provision of cultivator fender assemblies which are notsubject to the above-mentioned back and forth swinging lateral movementor fishtailing of the shields relative to one another and which permitsimultaneous cultivating with accurate spraying; the provision of suchimproved cultivator fender assemblies which may readily be adjusted toaccommodate various spacings between pairs of shields; and the provisionof such fender assemblies which are economically constructed andreliable in operation. Other objects and features will be in partapparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Briefly, a cultivator fender assembly of this invention has a pluralityof generally elongate shields extending parallel to one another andarranged in pairs, with the shields constituting each pair being spacedapart from each other on opposite sides of a row of crops, and with thepairs of shields being spaced apart from each other a distancecorresponding to the spacing between rows of crops. It also includesmeans for connecting the pairs of shields to the cultivator vehicle in amanner permitting up and down movement of the pairs of shields relativeto one another in response to changing ground contours. Linkage meansextend between the pairs of shields interconnecting the rearwardportions thereof for substantially eliminating back and forth lateralswinging movement of the pairs of shields relative to each other about avertical axis adjacent the means connecting the pairs of shields to thecultivator vehicle, and for permitting up and down movement of each pairof shields relative to the others in response to changing groundcontours. The linkage means include a pair of diverging links extendingbetween each of the adjacent pairs of shields, these pairs of linksextending between adjacent pairs of shields.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion ofa cultivator fender assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear end elevation of the portion of the cultivator assemblyshown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A cultivator fender assemblygenerally indicated at l (a portion of which is shown in FIG. 1)comprises a plurality of shields arranged in pairs, adapted to bedragged along the ground by a cultivator vehicle (not shown) to shieldrows of crops C from having earth, cultivated alongside the rows bycultivators (also not shown) carried by the cultivator vehicle, thrownonto the crops being cultivated. Each shield is a cultivator shield suchas described in the above-mentioned applications wherein it wasunderstood that several pairs of shields could be dragged along behindthe cultivator vehicle to simultaneously protect several rows of crops.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shields are arranged in pairs, each pairbeing designated 3, with the shields constituting each pair beingdesignated 3a, 3b and being spaced apart from each other on oppositesides of a row of crops C. The shield pairs 3 are spaced laterally fromeach other a distance generally corresponding to the spacing between therows of crops. Means, generally indicated at 7, are provided forconnecting the forward ends of the shield pairs to a cultivator tool bar9 carried by the cultivator vehicle in a manner permitting up and downmovement of the shield pairs relative to one another and relative to thecultivator vehicle in response to changing ground contours. Triangulatedlinkages, generally indicated at 11, extend between adjacent shieldpairs 3 and interconnect their rearward ends for substantiallyeliminating back and forth lateral swinging movement or fishtailing ofthe shield pairs relative to each other. Each triangulated linkageincludes a pair of links, one of which constituting a rear link 13extends laterally between one shield 3b of one shield pair 3 and theadjacent shield 3a of an adjacent shield pair and the other of whichconstitutes a front link 15 diverges forward away from rear link 13.Both the links 13 and 15 are pivotally connected at their ends to theabove-mentioned shields between which they extend for pivoting abouthorizontal axes extending substantially parallel to the direction oftravel of the cultivator vehicle (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1) forpermitting shield pairs 3 to move up and down relative to each other inresponse to changing ground contours.

More particularly, shield 3b is substantially a mirror image of 3a, andeach shield has a runner 17 secured to its bottom edge for being draggedover the ground.

The forward end of each shield is beveled as indicated at 19 to preventthe latter from digging into the ground. An inclined plane 21 is securedto the outwardly facing sides of each shield to smooth the earthcultivated by the cultivators between the rows of crops. Chains 22 areattached to the upper edges of the inclined planes 21 for supporting therear ends of the shields from the cultivator vehicle when the cultivatorfender assembly 1 is lifted clear of the ground. A vertical post 23 issecured to the upper surface of each runner 17 at the rearward end ofeach shield for mounting spray nozzles (not shown) which direct spraysof chemicals (e.g., post-emergence weed killers) on the ground betweenshields 3a, 3b to provide a sterilized band of soil adjacent the row ofcrops. The shields 3a, 3b are joined together to form the shield pairs 3by a first bridging means or front arch 25 and by a second bridgingmeans or rear arch 27.

Means 7 for connecting each of the shield pairs 3 to the cultivator toolbar 9 includes an arched bridle or yoke 29 bridging the shields 3a, 3bof each of the shield pairs at the forward end thereof. Yoke 29 ispivotally attached to each of the shields as indicated at 31 and has anintegral longitudinal member or link 33 extending forward therefrom. Theforward ends of links 33 are pivotally connected to a tool bar adaptor35 which is secured to tool bar 9 by U-bolts 36. Optional tensionsprings 37, each having one end connected to yoke 29 and the other endconnected to arch 25, are provided to resiliently interconnect links 33to their respective shields forward of attachment points 31 to assist inpreventing the forward ends of the shields from digging into the ground.Chains 39 are optionally connected between yoke 29 and front arch-25 forlimiting the pivotal movement of yoke 29 relative to the shield pairs asthe cultivator fender assembly 1 is lifted clear of the ground by thetool bar 9. 1

As shown in FIG. 1, the rear link 13 and the front link each includesections 13a, b and 15a, b, respectively. These link sections overlapeach other intermediate the ends of the links and each section has aplurality of slots 41 therein through which bolts 43 are inserted tosecure the sections relative to one another. With the bolts 43 removed,the sections may be extended or retracted relative to one another tovary the length of the links 13 and 15 to provide different spacingsbetween the pairs of shields.

The links 13 and 15 of each pair are pivotally connected at their outerends to the adjacent shields 3a and 3b of the adjacent shield pairs 3between which they extend. More particularly, the outer ends of thesections 130, b and 15a, b each have a hole 45 (shown in FIG. 2) topermit them to be pin-connected to their respective adjacent shields 3aand 3b. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer ends of sections 13b and 15b areconnected to shield 3b by a pin 47 which is common to both sections. Pin47 is carried by a clevis 49 which is secured to the upper rear portionof shield 3b by a bolt 51. The sections 13a, b which constitute link 13extend laterally from clevis 49 to the upper rear portion of theadjacent shield 3a of an adjacent shield pair, and the outer end ofsection 13a is pinned thereto by a pin 53 carried by a rear clevis 55.The latter is secured to the upper rear portion of shield 3a by a bolt57. The outer end of section 15b is bent as indicated at 59 in FIG. 1whereby the sections 15b and 15a diverge forward away from link 13. Theouter end of section 15a is bent as indicated at 61 whereby it joinswith shield 3a in a direction substantially normal thereto. The outerend of section 15a is pivotally connected to shield 3a at a pointforward of clevis 55 by a pin 63 carried by a front clevis 65, thelatter being secured to the upper portion of shield 3a by a bolt 67. Thepins 47, 53 and 63 are each held in their respective clevis by a cotterpin 67. The links 13 and 15 are each free to pivot about the centrallongitudinal axes of pins 47, 53 and 63, these axes constituting theabove-mentioned horizontal axes which extend parallel to the directionof travel of the cultivator vehicle. Thus, the rear portions of adjacentshield pairs 3 are interconnected by triangulated links 13 and 15 insuch a manner as to prevent fishtailing of the pairs of shields and topermit up and down movement of adjacent shield pairs relative to oneanother in response to changing ground contours.

In operation, shield pairs 3 are spaced apart from one another adistance generally corresponding to the spacing between the rows ofcrops being cultivated (the spacing between shield 3a, 3b of each pair 3may be varied as described in the aforementioned applications) andconnected to tool bar 9 by the connection means 7 as heretoforedescribed. The lengths of links 13 and 15 are adjusted to accommodatethe spacing between adjacent shield pairs 3 by removing bolts 43 fromslots 41 and extending or retracting the sections 13a, b and 15a, b torespectively vary the lengths of links 13 and 15 as required and theninserting (but not tightening initially) the bolts in the matchingslots. The outer ends of sections 13b and 15b are connected to clevis 49by pin 47, and the outer ends of sections 13a and 15a are each connectedto its respective clevis 55 or 61 by their respective pins 53 or 63.

The shields are then given a final adjustment to insure that each row ofcrops C to be cultivated is substantially centered between the shields3a, 3b of each shield pair 3. The bolts 43 in link 13 are then tightenedto secure the sections 13a, 13b relative to one another whereby thelength of link 13 is properly adjusted to hold the rear end portions ofits respective adjacent shields 13a, 13b spaced apart from one another.Preferably, the cultivator vehicle is then operated to drag thecultivator fender assembly along the ground for a short distance toverify that the shields are working properly. The bolts 43 in link 15are then tightened to secure the sections 15a, 15b relative to oneanother.

As heretofore described, fishtailing is the lateral back and forthswinging movement of shield pairs 3 relative to one another. Moreparticularly, this swinging movement may result from play between theshields 3a, 3b and their respective links 33 at attachment points 31and/or between the attachment between the forward ends of links 33 andtheir respective tool bar adaptor 35. Fishtailing may be aggravated byU-bolts 36 working loose thereby permitting movement of the tool baradaptors relative to tool bar 9 and by excessive amounts of dirt beingthrown against the shields by the Cultivators.

With links 13 and 15 installed between each of the adjacent shield pairs3, the rear end portions of the shields of adjacent pairs of shields areinterconnected in a manner which substantially prevents fishtailing ofone pair of shields relative to another and which per- ,mits one pair ofshields to move up and down relative to the others in response tochanging ground contours. The triangulated linkage l 1 of this inventioneffectively reduces the tendency of the shield pairs 3 to fishtail, evenwhen the connection of a pair of shields to the tool bar 9 loosens orwhen excessive amounts of soil are thrown against one of the shields bythe cultivator, because the diverging front link provides added lateralrigidity. Thus, fishtailing of the shield pairs of a cultivator fenderassembly of this invention is effectively prevented thereby reducingdamage to the drops during cultivating and thereby providing a stableplatform for accurate and economical spraying applications.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. A cultivator fender assembly for being dragged along the ground by acultivator vehicle to shield rows of crops from having earth, cultivatedalongside the rows by cultivators carried by the cultivator vehicle,thrown onto the crops comprising:

a plurality of generally elongate shields extending parallel to oneanother and arranged in pairs with the shields constituting each pairbeing spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of a row of crops,the pairs of shields being spaced apart from one another a distancegenerally corresponding to the spacing between the rows of crops;

means carried by the shields for mounting chemical spray means;

means for connecting the pairs of shields to said vehicle in a mannerpermitting up and down movement of the pairs of shields relative to oneanother and relative to the vehicle in response to changing groundcountours; linkage means extending between adjacent pairs of shieldsinterconnecting the rearward portions thereof for substantiallyeliminating back and forth lateral swinging movement of each pair ofshields relative to the others thereby to prevent possible damage to therows of crops by the shields and to provide a stable platform foraccurately and economically spraying chemicals on the crops and groundbetween a pair of said shields, said linkage means permitting up anddown movement of each pair of shields relative to the other pairs inresponse to changing ground contours, said linkage means comprising apair of diverging links extending between each of the adjacent pairs ofshields; and each of said links comprising a plurality of sectionsaxially extensible and retractable relative to one another foraccommodating different spacings between the pairs of shields, each saidlink having means for securing one section thereof relative to anothersection at any desired adjusted length and having its ends pivotallyconnected to the shields between which it extends for pivoting abouthorizontal axes extending through each of its pivotal connections, saidhorizontal axes being substantially parallel to the direction of travelof said cultivator vehicle, one of said links of each pair of linksextending laterally between its respective shields and perpendicularlythereto, and the other link of each pair diverging away from said onelink. 2. A cultivator fender assembly as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid one link and said other link are pivotally connected to one oftheir respective shields at a common connection, said other linkdiverging forward away from said one link to its pivoted connection onthe other of its respective shields.

1. A cultivator fender assembly for being dragged along the ground by acultivator vehicle to shield rows of crops from having earth, cultivatedalongside the rows by cultivators carried by the cultivator vehicle,thrown onto the crops comprising: a plurality of generally elongateshields extending parallel to one another and arranged in pairs with theshields constituting each pair being spaced apart from each other onopposite sides of a row of crops, the pairs of shields being spacedapart from one another a distance generally corresponding to the spacingbetween the rows of crops; means carried by the shields for mountingchemical spray means; means for connecting the pairs of shields to saidvehicle in a manner permitting up and down movement of the pairs ofshields relative to one another and relative to the vehicle in responseto changing ground countours; linkage means extending between adjacentpairs of shields interconnecting the rearward portions thereof forsubstantially eliminating back and forth lateral swinging movement ofeach pair of shields relative to the others thereby to prevent possibledamage to the rows of crops by the shields and to provide a stableplatform for accurately and economically spraying chemicals on the cropsand ground between a pair of said shields, said linkage means permittingup and down movement of each pair of shields relative to the other pairsin response to changing ground contours, said linkage means comprising apair of diverging links extending between each of the adjacent pairs ofshields; and each of said links comprising a plurality of sectionsaxially extensible and retractable relative to one another foraccommodating different spacings between the pairs of shields, each saidlink having means for securing one section thereof relative to anothersection at any desired adjusted length and having its ends pivotallyconnected to the shields between which it extends for pivoting abouthorizontal axes extending through each of its pivotal connections, saidhorizontal axes being substantially parallel to the direction of travelof said cultivator vehicle, one of said links of each pair of linksextending laterally between its respective shields and perpendicularlythereto, and the other link of each pair diverging away from said onelink.
 2. A cultivator fender assembly as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid one link and said other link are pivotally connected to one oftheir respective shields at a common connection, said other linkdiverging forward away from said one link to its pivoted connection onthe other of its respective shields.